The Ultimate Guide to Start Collecting & Trading Pins

Collecting pins from various sports teams is an enjoyable and often lucrative family hobby. The collecting can bring the family together to spend the time trading pins or simply for collecting for the family treasure chest. One aspect of collecting pins such as Baseball and the other professional sports is their monetary value. Additionally, the pins give a sense of history of the country through its sports teams. Pin enthusiasts will be anxious to learn of the history of the game and the times in which it was played, and this adds to their sense of the past.

Being in possession of a Little League pin of one of the greats of the game regardless of the sport is a highly treasured item and can bring a good price as the trades or sales go on among the collectors. The pins of the early World Series games, for example, are on sale for upwards of $500. Trading pins can become a lucrative hobby as the pins that you collect increase in value. If you are unsure of the value of your pins, there are some places that can give you additional information on their worth. Information about the value of some of these pins can be found on sites such as eBay and Etsy or vendor shows where you can purchase or trade your pins.

Each organization’s website will show their pins throughout the years. For example, the New York Yankees have pins for the team years as well as the World Series and several smaller playoff games on their website. While on the sites if you look at the player’s statistics it will give you background to start your search for which Little League team they played on. This information may take a little detective work to find, but the stats on each player have a treasure trove of information for the collector. This also enhances your knowledge and appreciation for the pin and the sport as you can discuss the individual in relation to the pin. For example, the Mickey Mantle 1950’s pin also shows his picture which, by the way, recently sold for over $200.

As with any collectible, pins can be saved for generations and traded for upgrades at any time. Pins are often traded at pin meets. A list of the meets in your area will be available in a local newspaper and are usually free or inexpensive to attend. You can wear some of your sports pins and begin conversations with like minded individuals as to their collections and yours. Pins are relatively inexpensive to manufacture so that they are more prolific than some collectibles which may not make them easier to find. People did not keep the sports pins as readily because they were numerous and not highly valued at the time. In addition to finding pins, the condition of the pin will help you to ascertain its value. Collecting pins in mint condition will yield the highest return for the pin if you decide to sell or trade. Mint condition means that the pin will be free of scratches and scars of wear. For pins, as with other collectibles, mint condition pins are more difficult to find. However, good pins from professional teams are a treasure. They not only tell the history of an era but carry value for the trade enthusiast wishing to complete their collection.

One of the many great things that make trading pins such a great hobby is that you can wear them and show them to others. Securing a tie or a scarf with a pin or loading up a hat with various pins increases conversation and possible sales of the pins.